Optimists could say Ottawa Senators started poorly in 2006 too ...

Former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson looks up at the game board after losing to the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime of game 5 in round two of NHL action at Scotiabank Place on Saturday May 13, 2006.

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Those needing a glimmer of hope can always flash back to the 2006-07 season.

The Ottawa Senators were coming off a promising year that had experts predicting big things. But with inconsistent performances, they got off to a disappointing start.

As the calendar turned to December, they were out of the playoff picture. GM John Muckler told coach Bryan Murray he had better start winning. The implication was his job was at stake.

Fans wanted captain Daniel Alfredsson traded.

The Senators were 15-13-1 at the 29 game mark, just slightly better than they are at the same point now.

"My buddy sent me an email with all the press clippings, about three weeks ago," said Chris Neil. "I remembered."

So did Jason Spezza.

"We were struggling, then we got a lot of confidence, we got hot at the right time," he said "We won a lot of games in the second half."

And lost very few in regulation time.

From January on, the Senators went 27-7-8. The 105 points had them second in their division, tied for third in the conference. It took them just 15 games to dispose of the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, knocking each out of the playoffs in five game series.

They finally succumbed to the Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Cup finals, a best-of-seven that also went five games.

Now, it certainly doesn't look like the current group can duplicate the best season in Senators modern day history, the way they are playing now.

But, for a moment, consider the main pieces.

Up front, they have Bobby Ryan and Clarke MacArthur instead of Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson. Not a big drop off.

Zdeno Chara was gone from a defence that was anchored by Wade Redden. Erik Karlsson is an upgrade.

And the goaltending is now in better hands, with Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner instead of Ray Emery and Martin Gerber.

"It's a different style of team, a different team now," said Spezza. "The West has been so strong probably helps us, because there's seven points between us and a playoff spot, but there seems like a whole group of teams that are all under-achieving.

"We're starting to find our consistency, and I think that's what our problem was back then too, was not finding consistency in our game. We have to just find that.

"Who knows how it goes. It's tough to compare to that long ago."

Spezza, Neil, Chris Phillips and Joe Corvo (The Sequel) are the only current Senators who were on the team six years ago.

"It's hitting your stride at the right time, going into the playoffs," said Neil. "Obviously you've got to put wins together during the regular season to get there "¦ then you want to be rolling on all cylinders going into the playoffs. But at the end of the day for us, we've got to start winning some games to put ourselves in a playoff spot."

Asked if he thinks this Senators team has what it takes to get back to the finals, Neil replied: "I'd like to think so."

Spezza isn't thinking along those lines yet.

"I think we have a good team now," he said. "I think we should be playing better than we are. I just think we have to get there. That team got there, now we have to find a way to get there."

There being the Stanley Cup finals?

"There just winning games," he said, "And getting to the playoffs. There's the playoffs. There's the playoffs."

THIS AND THAT

Mike Hoffman remains on the Kyle Turris-Bobby Ryan line and is expected to be a net presence on the first power play unit. Hoffman is still looking for his first NHL point in six games, include the two he's played here this season. "For sure I'm getting the opportunity, some power play and with one of the top two lines," he said. "I feel better every day. I think today we had a good practice. Our line was making some plays and scoring some goals. Hopefully we can transfer that into the game." Hoffman has been given no indication how long he'll be given to produce. "I'm just trying to go out there and hopefully start putting a few points on the board," he said. "Maybe get my first one out of the way here as soon as possible. Get that one out of the way then hopefully start rolling." "¦ Cory Conacher missed Friday's practice for "maintenances" purposes, and while coach Paul MacLean said he "should be available and should play" against the Leafs, the struggling winger would seem to be the odd man out if the Senators want to get Matt Kasssian into his first game in 10. "Now that we have the Leafs and the Flyers and Buffalo coming to town, those certainly sound like teams Matt Kassian can play against," said MacLean "¦ Kassian is ready. "You want to be part of a winning team whether you're playing or not playing," he said. "I definitely think we have that potential here." "¦ MacLean has liked what he has seen from the continued progress of Mika Zibanejad, who has gone from top line status as Spezza's right winger to centring the fourth line. "I think the time he spent as a winger has been good for him," said MacLean . "Part of his growth as a player is that he can be switching positions. To me that was a great sign. He's still a support player for us, but his game is really starting to come. He's using his speed, size shot, and we continue to encourage him to do that."